Shelving system

ABSTRACT

Shelving systems having repositionable shelves are described herein. A locking mechanism releasably secures cleats at predetermined positions relative to supports. The cleats disclosed herein are configured and adapted to support different objects including shelves and/or elongated objects, e.g., bars that are configured and adapted to support bottles thereon.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/684,379 filed Aug. 17, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to a shelving system, and more particularly to a shelving system including a shelving cleat that is securable and repositionable with respect to supports.

The selection and placement of books and other items upon a shelf is a reflection of the personality and creativity of the individual who placed them upon the shelf.

A shelving unit, e.g., a bookcase, commonly includes a cabinet having a height, a width, and a depth. The cabinet is compartmentalized by shelves that are placed within the cabinet. Each shelf has a width and a depth corresponding to the width and depth of the cabinet in which they are placed. Multiple shelves may be placed within the cabinet and spaced apart from one another along the height of the cabinet.

The placement of items upon a shelf is limited by the physical dimensions of the items and the space upon the shelf. For example, books are published in a multitude of sizes. Commonly, librarians and publishers refer to the sizes of books as ranging from “folio” (the largest), to “quarto” (smaller), and “octavo” (the smallest). Oftentimes, a particularly oversized book is unable to stand upright within a bookcase and the book must therefore be placed upon its side on the shelf.

Some commercially available shelving units include repositionable shelves to accommodate items of varying sizes within the shelving unit. In particular, the shelves are repositionable with respect to the height of the shelving unit such that the shelves may be spaced apart by a dimension corresponding to the height of the tallest item to be placed between the shelves.

One such shelving unit that includes repositionable shelves has a cabinet having two generally opposing sides. Each side includes two columns of apertures extending along the length of the side. The apertures are aligned in rows defining an axis perpendicular to the height of the side. The two sides, and the arrangement of the apertures on each side, are substantially mirror images of each other. Each aperture is configured to receive a pin therein such that four pins may be positioned in apertures positioned along a common plane. A shelf may be rested upon the four pins. Repositioning of the shelf is achieved by removing the pins and placing the pins within apertures located in another row with respect to each side. This shelving unit is referred to herein as the “shelf-pin system”.

While the shelf-pin system is relatively simple to manufacture and use, it has several critical drawbacks. The depth of the apertures is limited by the width of the sides of the cabinet. To save material and to maximize the internal dimensions of the cabinet, the sides of the cabinet are often relatively thin. The extent to which a pin placed in such an aperture is limited by the depth to which the pin is inserted in the aperture. In particular, the longer the pin protrudes from the aperture, the greater the force exerted by the pin upon the sides of the aperture in which it is positioned. Therefore, relatively short pins support relatively long and heavy shelves.

The shelves of the shelf-pin system merely rest upon the pins and are not otherwise fixed or secured within the cabinet. Consequently, a shelf may move when touched or when items are placed upon or removed from the shelf. Such movement may cause pins to become loose or to disengage from the apertures in which they are placed. Once a pin disengaged from the aperture, the shelf is no longer adequately supported and is unstable. Consequently, the shelf may fall and items placed upon the shelf may break much to the consternation of the shelving unit's owner. Moreover, the dislodged pins may be lost, preventing replacement of the shelf and rendering the shelving unit nonfunctional.

A continuing need exists for new and improved shelving systems and devices that facilitate the repositioning of shelves with fewer drawbacks than those of currently available systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a shelving system including a first and second pair of supports. The first pair of supports includes a first and second support, and the second pair of supports includes a third and fourth support. Each support defines a height and includes a plurality of notches that are longitudinally spaced along the height of the support. A first shelf cleat is positioned between generally opposing notches of the first and second support. A second shelf cleat is positioned between the third and fourth support. An elongated object, e.g., a shelf, is supported by upper surfaces of the first and second shelf cleats. A locking mechanism releasably secures the first and second cleats at a predetermined position relative to the notches.

In an embodiment, a shelving system includes a first and second pair of supports. The first pair includes a first and second support and the second pair includes a third and fourth support. Each support defining a height and having a plurality of notches longitudinally spaced along the height of the support. A first shelf cleat positioned between generally opposing notches of the first and second support. A second shelf cleat positioned between the third and fourth support. The first shelf cleat includes a first groove and the second shelf cleat includes a second groove, the first and second grooves are aligned along a common axis and are configured to support an elongated object, e.g., a bottle.

In an embodiment, a shelving system that is configured and adapted to support an elongated object, e.g., a bottle, may include a first shelf cleat and a second shelf cleat. The second shelf cleat is spaced a distance apart from the first shelf cleat and generally opposes the first shelf cleat. The first shelf cleat includes a first groove and the second shelf cleat includes a second groove, the first and second grooves generally opposing one another and aligned along a common axis and configured and adapted to support an elongated object therein.

In an embodiment, a shelving system includes a first and second pair of supports. The first pair includes a first and second support and the second pair having a third and fourth support. Each support defining a height and having a plurality of notches longitudinally spaced along the height of the support. A first shelf cleat positioned between generally opposing notches of the first and second support. A second shelf cleat positioned between the third and fourth support. The first shelf cleat includes a first groove and the second shelf cleat includes a second groove, the first and second grooves are aligned along a common axis and are configured to support a first bar defining a first depression configured to receive an elongated object therein. The first shelf cleat may include a third groove and the second shelf cleat includes a fourth groove, and further including a second bar supported within the third and fourth grooves, the second bar defining a second depression configured to receive the elongated object therein such that the elongated object may be supported by both the first and second depressions.

In an embodiment, the shelving system may include a third and fourth shelf cleat, wherein the third shelf cleat includes a third groove and the second shelf cleat includes a fourth groove, the third and fourth grooves aligned along a common axis and configured to support a second bar defining a depression configured to receive an elongated object therein. The third and fourth shelf cleats may be positioned at different heights with respect to the supports such that when the elongated object is placed upon the first and second depressions, the elongated object is tilted.

In an embodiment, lighting members, e.g., light emitting diodes, may be operatively coupled to the shelving system to provide illumination. The lighting members may be operatively coupled to the cleats, bars, and/or supports described herein.

These and other embodiments of the present disclosure are more fully described herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of description only, embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet system including a repositionable shelving system according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a see-through side view of the cabinet system of FIG. 1 including the repositionable shelving system of FIG. 1 according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a side view of an embodiment of a support and a cleat according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a perspective fragmentary view of the support and cleat of FIG. 3A according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 3C is a cutaway front view of the support and cleat of FIG. 3A according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 4A is a front view of another embodiment of a repositionable shelving system including a cleat assembly according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a front view of another embodiment of a repositionable shelving system including a cleat assembly according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 4C is front view of another embodiment of a repositionable shelving system including a cleat assembly according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the cleat assembly of FIG. 4B shown coupled to a support member according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of shelving system of FIG. 4B shown relative to the support member of FIG. 5A according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the support member of FIG. 5A shown slidably coupled to a shelf according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating the placement of supports that are operatively coupled to a cabinet according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a shelving system according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the shelving system of FIG. 7A shown relative to an elongated object according to aspects of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cleat including longitudinally spaced depressions according to aspects of the disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pair of cleats of FIG. 8 shown relative to an elongated object according to aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures and in the description that follow, like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. An x-y-z coordinate system, as shown in FIG. 1, having mutually orthogonal x-, y-, and z-axes is referred to in the description below to describe the relative placement of elements.

A bookcase or cabinet system 100A is described with reference to FIG. 1. The cabinet system 100A has a left side L, a right side R, a top T, and a bottom B. The cabinet system also includes a front C and a back E. The cabinet system 100A includes a cabinet 9 and a shelving system 10A disposed within the cabinet 9 and bound by the left and right sides L, R, the top T, and the bottom B. The left and right sides L, R of the cabinet system 100A are mirror images of one another. The shelving system includes supports 11 extending between the top T and bottom B in a direction along axis-z. A first pair 11L of supports 11 are operatively coupled to the left side L of the cabinet 9 and a second pair 11R of supports 11 are operatively coupled to the right side R of the cabinet 9. The first and second pairs 11L, 11R are spaced apart from one another in the x-axis direction. Each of the first and second pairs 11L, 11R includes supports 11 that are spaced apart from one another along the y-axis direction. A pair of generally opposing cleats 15 is operatively coupled to each of the first and second pairs 11L, 11R of supports 11. A shelf 7 is positioned upon upper surfaces (i.e., the surface of the shelf 7 closer to top T) of the generally opposing cleats 15. Additional shelves 7 may be positioned within the cabinet 9 in this manner such that the shelves 7 are longitudinally spaced from one another along the z-axis direction.

A see-through illustration of the right side R of the cabinet system 100A (which is a mirror image of the left side L) is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, each support 11 includes a face D in which notches 23 spaced from one another along the z-axis direction have been cut. Each notch 23 defines a ledge 17 having a planar surface 19 and an angled surface 21 such that face D has a saw-like configuration. The planar surface 19 is generally orthogonal or perpendicular, with respect to the z-axis direction. The planar surface 19 and the angled surface 21 define an angle θ therebetween. In an embodiment, the angle θ between the planar and angled surfaces 19, 21 is 21.5°. The second pair of supports 11R includes two supports 11 that are spaced apart from one another along the y-axis direction and are oriented with respect to one another in a mirror-image manner such that the faces D of the supports 11 face one another and corresponding notches 23 on each support 11 oppose one another.

In an embodiment, a cabinet system 100B includes shelving system 10B, which is described with reference to FIGS. 3A-3C. The cabinet system 100B and shelving system 10B substantially similar to the cabinet system 100A and shelving system 10A with the following exceptions that will now be described. Supports 11 have each been replaced by a support 11A, and cleat 15 has been replaced by cleat 15A. The supports 11A and cleat 15A are substantially similar to the supports 11 and cleat 15 described above with the exception that the support 11A and cleat 15A include a locking mechanism 30 that releasably secures the cleat 15A to the support 11A.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the cleat 15A includes a semi-spherical groove 6 and the support 11A includes a depressible ball bearing 8 disposed on the angled surface 21 of the support 11A. The ball bearing 8 is configured to releasably secure the cleat 15A to the support 11A. As shown in FIG. 3C, a groove 2 is formed within the support 11A for the reception of the ball bearing 8 therein. A spring 4 biases the ball bearing 8 outwardly from the groove 2. As the cleat 15A is placed between generally opposing supports 11A, the ball bearing 8 is depressed into the groove 2 as angled face 27 of the cleat 15A presses against the ball bearing 8. As the groove 6 within angled face 27 of the cleat 15A is positioned against the ball bearing 8, the ball bearing 8 fills the space defined within the groove 6, thereby releasably locking the cleat 15A to the support 11A. In an embodiment, the cleat 15A may include ball bearing 8 and the support 11A may include groove 2.

In an embodiment, a cabinet system 100C includes a shelving system 10C (FIG. 4A). The cabinet system 100C and shelving system 10C are substantially similar to the cabinet system 100A and shelving system 10A with the following differences. The shelving system 10A includes a cleat assembly 15B including an upper cleat 15U and a lower cleat 15L. A resilient and compressible material 33, e.g., foam, is disposed between the upper and lower cleats 15U, 15L. The material 33 biases the upper and lower cleats 15U, 15L apart from one another. The transitioning of the resilient and compressible material 33 between an expanded and compressed state functions as a locking mechanism.

The right side of the shelving system is illustrated in FIG. 4A in which opposing supports 11 support the cleat assembly 15B. In particular, the upper cleat 15U is supported within opposing notches 23 and the lower cleat 15L is supported within opposing notches 23. The material 33 disposed between the upper and lower cleats 15U, 15L bias the upper and lower cleats 15U, 15L apart such that the a force F directs the upper cleat 15U against angled surfaces 21 and the lower cleat 15L against planar surfaces 19, thereby inhibiting disengagement of the cleat system 15B from the supports 11. Disengagement of the cleat system 15B from the supports 11 is facilitated by moving the lower cleat 15L a direction toward the upper cleat 15U to compress material 33 therebetween, thereby facilitating disengagement of the cleats 15U, 15L from notches 23 of opposing supports 11.

In an embodiment, a cabinet system 100D includes a shelving system 10D (FIG. 4B). The cabinet system 100D and shelving system 10D are substantially similar to the cabinet system 100A and shelving system 10A with the following differences. The shelving system 10D includes cleat assembly 15C including upper cleat 16U and lower cleat 16L. The upper cleat 16U includes a lower surface 16 t in which one or more receptacles 17U are formed. The lower cleat 16L includes an upper surface in which one or more receptacles 17L in which one or more receptacles 17L are formed. The receptacles 17U and the receptacles 17L are generally opposing and a biasing member 3, e.g., a spring, is disposed between the receptacles 17U, 17L. One or more biasing members 3 may be positioned between the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L. As shown in FIG. 4B, two biasing members 3 are positioned between opposing ends of the cleats 16U, 16L. The number of biasing members 3 placed between the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L may be selected to correspond with the degree of force desired to move the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L relative to one another. The biasing member 3 exerts a force F that directs the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L apart such that the upper cleat 16U exerts a force upon the angled surface 21 of notch 23 and the lower cleat 16L exerts a force upon the planar surface 19 of notch 23, thereby inhibiting disengagement of the cleat assembly 15C from opposing supports 11 between which the cleat assembly 15C is positioned. The transitioning of the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L between an expanded and compressed condition relative to one another functions as a locking mechanism of the cleat assembly 15C relative to the supports 11 inhibiting inadvertent separation of the cleat assembly 15C from the supports 11.

The lengths of the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L may be adjusted to fit between the supports 11 by cutting the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L. The receptacles 17U extend through lower surface 16 t of the upper cleat 16U. The receptacles 17L extend through upper surface 16 w of the lower cleat 16L. The respective receptacles 17U, 17L of the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L may be equidistantly spaced along the length of the cleats 16U, 16L. A plurality of receptacles 17U, 17L may extend along a substantial portion of the length of the cleats 16U, 16L such that when the cleats 16U, 16L are cut to a desired length, the remaining portion of the cleats 16U, 16L will still have respective receptacles 17U, 17L for accommodating biasing member 3 therein.

In an embodiment, a cabinet system 100E includes a shelving system 10E (FIG. 4C). The cabinet system 100E and the shelving system 10E are substantially similar to the cabinet system 100A and the shelving system 10A with the following differences. The shelving system 10E includes cleat assembly 15D including upper cleat 15U and lower cleat 15L. A biasing member 90 is positioned between lower surface 15 t of the upper cleat 15U and upper surface 15 w of the lower cleat 15L such that the upper and lower cleats 15U, 15L are biased apart by force F. The biasing member 90 is secured to the upper and lower cleats 15U, 15L by any suitable connection means 91 (e.g., by an adhesive and/or a screw or nail or the like). The movement of the upper and lower cleats 15U, 15L relative to one another functions as a locking mechanism of the cleat assembly 15D relative to the supports 11 inhibiting inadvertent separation of the cleat assembly 15D from the supports 11.

Each of the cleat assemblies 15A-15D described above may be operatively coupled to a support member 80 such that when the cleat assemblies 15A-15D are operatively coupled to supports 11, the support member 80 is also secured relative to the supports 11 and may be positioned adjacent side faces S of the supports 11. The support member 80 may facilitate proper placement of the cleat assembly 15A-15D with respect to the supports 11. The operation of the support member 80 and placement of the cleat assemblies 15A-15D within cabinet 9 are described with reference to FIGS. 5A-5B in which support member 80 is operatively coupled to cleat assembly 15C.

An upper surface 80 u of the support member 80 (FIG. 5A) may also provide a platform to support shelf 7 thereupon. The lower cleat 16L of the cleat assembly 15C is secured to the support member 80. A connecting member 83, e.g., a nail or screw, may secure the lower cleat 16L to the support member 80. The upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L are movable relative to one another such that the distance h between lower surface 16 t of the upper cleat 16U and upper surface 16 w of the lower cleat L is adjustable. The cleat assembly 15C is securable relative to supports 11 by positioning the lower support 16L between opposing notches 23 of supports 11 and compressing the upper support 16U relative to the lower support 16L and fitting the upper and lower supports 16U, 16L between opposing supports 11. Since the upper cleat 16U is biased apart from the lower cleat 16L, the movement of the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L apart frictionally secures the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L to the supports 11 thereby inhibiting inadvertent separation of the cleat assembly 15C from the supports 11. Repositioning of the cleat assembly 15C is achievable by compressing the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L relative to one another such that the frictional engagement between the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L is reduced facilitating separation of the upper and lower cleats 16U, 16L from respective notches 23 of the supports 11. The other cleat assemblies 15A, 15B, 15D that are described herein are securable relative to supports 11 in a substantially similar manner as has been described with respect to cleat assembly 15A.

As shown in FIG. 5C, drawer slides 85 may be operatively coupled to opposing support members 80. The drawer slide 85 includes a first member 85 a that is secured to the support member 80 and a second member 85 b that slides relative to first member 85 a along the y-axis direction. The shelf 7 may be operatively coupled to the second member 85 b. The locking mechanisms described herein inhibit separation of the cleat assemblies 15A-15D from the supports 11 during translation of the shelf 7 in a direction along axis-y.

As shown in FIG. 6, supports 11 may additionally be placed at or near the center of the back E of cabinet 9 to provide additional support for the shelf 7. The placement of supports 11 at the center of the back E in addition to those at the left and right sides L, R, may be desirable for shelves that are relatively long or will be supporting relatively heavy items. Cleat assemblies 15A-15D may be operatively coupled to the back E in a substantially similar manner as was discussed above with respect to the left and right sides L, R of the cabinet 9. For illustrative purposes, as shown in FIG. 6, shelving unit 10D including cleat assembly 15C is operatively coupled to cabinet 9. Each cleat assembly 15C is shown operatively coupled to support member 80 upon which shelf 7 may be placed. Optionally, the shelf 7 may be configured to fit the space defined between the supports 11 to minimize gaps between the shelf 7 and the sides of the cabinet 9.

A bottle rack system 200 is described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. The bottle rack system 200 includes opposing cleats 210, which may be supported by supports 11 in substantially the manner described above with respect to cleat assemblies 15A-15D. The ends of the cleats 210 may be cut to fit within notches 23 of the supports 11. The cleats 210 include grooves 212 that are configured and adapted to support a bar 220 thereon. Similarly, grooves may be formed in the upper surfaces of cleats 15A, 15U, and 16U such that those cleats may support bar 220 placed upon the grooves. The bar 220 includes a first face 220 a and a second face 220 b. Each of the first and second faces 220 a, 220 b includes depressions 222, 224, respectively, that are longitudinally spaced in a direction along axis-x.

A first bar 220 is placed within grooves 212 of a pair of generally opposing cleats 210. A second bar 220 is placed within grooves 212 of either the same generally a different pair of generally opposing cleats 210 that are positioned differently along axis-z, i.e., either above or below. As shown in FIG. 7B, elongated objects B are placeable within the depressions 222, 224. The depressions 222, 224 minimize movement of the objects B placed thereon with respect to the bar 220. The two faces 220 a, 220 b of bar 220 facilitate accommodation of elongated objects B having differing diameters. Object B may define a body portion B1 and a narrowed neck portion B2 (as is common of wine bottles). It may be desirable to store object B at an angle, i.e., titled. Storing object B at an angle is achievable by resting one end of object B on bars 220 that are positioned at different heights relative to axis-z. Objects B having a narrowed neck portion B2 may be positioned with the narrowed neck portion B2 on a bar 220 that is positioned lower with respect to the z-axis with the body portion B1 being positioned another bar 220 that is positioned higher relative to the z-axis such that the narrowed neck portion B2 presses against bar 220 stabilizing the object B and minimizing movement of the object B with respect to the bars 220.

In an embodiment, cleats may support bottles without the use of bars B. A wine bottle cleat 40 is described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. The wine bottle cleat 40 includes an upper surface 43 in which depressions or scallops 41 have been formed. The depressions 41 are configured and adapted to support an elongated object B, e.g., a wine bottle, therein. The object B depicted in FIG. 9 has a body section B1 having a diameter D and a neck section B2 having a diameter d. The depressions 41 may have varying sizes and configurations such that sections of an object that have varying sizes and configurations may be supported. As shown in FIG. 8, the depressions 41 may define a width W to facilitate reception of an object to be placed therein and a depth j to inhibit movement of the object. As shown in FIG. 9, one cleat 40 includes depressions 41 that are sized and configured to support body section B1 of bottle B and another cleat 40 includes depressions 41 that are sized and configured to support the neck section B2 of the bottle B. The cleat 40 may replace the cleat 15 that was described hereinabove. Additionally, such depressions 41 may be formed in upper surfaces of the cleats described herein. In particular, the depressions 41 may be formed in upper surfaces of cleats 15A, 15U, and 16U such that elongated objects, e.g., object B, may be supported by those cleats in the manner described with respect to cleat 40.

One or more lighting members (not shown), e.g., light emitting diodes, may be operatively coupled to cleats 15, 15A, 15L, 16L, 40, and bar 220 to facilitate illumination. Electrical leads may be disposed within or one the cleats 15, 15A, 15L, 16L, 40 and bar 220, which are electrically connected to conductive elements (not shown) that are operatively coupled to the supports 11. The electrical leads and conductive elements may extend along the length of the cleats 15, 15A, 15L, 16L and/or bars 220, and along the length of the supports 11 described herein and may be cut to an appropriate length prior to assembly. The lighting members that are operatively coupled to cleats 15, 15A, 15L, 16L and/or bars 220 may be powered by electricity flowing through electrical leads (not shown) disposed on or within the supports 11. In addition or as an alternative, the cleats 15, 15A, 15L, 16L and bar 220 may include an internal power source, e.g., a battery, to power the lighting members.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A shelving system including: a first and second pair of supports, the first pair having a first and second support and the second pair having a third and fourth support, each support defining a height and having a plurality of notches longitudinally spaced along the height of the support; a first shelf cleat positioned between generally opposing notches of the first and second support; a second shelf cleat positioned between the third and fourth support; and a locking mechanism to lock the first and second cleats at a predetermined position relative to the notches.
 2. The shelving system of claim 1, wherein the first and second shelf cleats are configured and adapted to support an elongated object.
 3. The shelving system of claim 2, wherein the elongated object is a shelf.
 4. The shelving system of claim 2, wherein the elongated object is a bottle.
 5. The shelving system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second cleats includes a depression defined in an upper surface of the at least one of the first and second cleats, the depression corresponding to a dimension of the elongated object.
 6. A shelving system including: a first shelf cleat; and a second shelf cleat, the second shelf cleat spaced a distance apart from the first shelf cleat and generally opposing the first shelf cleat, wherein the first shelf cleat includes a first groove and the second shelf cleat includes a second groove, the first and second grooves generally opposing one another and aligned along a common axis and configured and adapted to support an elongated object therein.
 7. The shelving system of claim 6, wherein the elongated object is a bottle.
 8. A shelving system including: a first and second pair of supports, the first pair having a first and second support and the second pair having a third and fourth support, each support defining a height and having a plurality of notches longitudinally spaced along the height of the support; a first shelf cleat positioned between generally opposing notches of the first and second support; a second shelf cleat positioned between the third and fourth support, wherein the first shelf cleat includes a first groove and the second shelf cleat includes a second groove, the first and second grooves are aligned along a common axis and are configured to support an elongated object.
 9. The shelving system of claim 8, wherein the elongated object is a bottle.
 10. A shelving system including: a first and second pair of supports, the first pair having a first and second support and the second pair having a third and fourth support, each support defining a height and having a plurality of notches longitudinally spaced along the height of the support; a first shelf cleat positioned between generally opposing notches of the first and second support; a second shelf cleat positioned between the third and fourth support, wherein the first shelf cleat includes a first groove and the second shelf cleat includes a second groove, the first and second grooves are aligned along a common axis and are configured to support a first bar defining a first depression configured to receive an elongated object therein.
 11. The shelving system of claim 10, wherein the first shelf cleat includes a third groove and the second shelf cleat includes a fourth groove, and further including a second bar supported within the third and fourth grooves, the second bar defining a second depression configured to receive the elongated object therein such that the elongated object is supportable by both the first and second depressions.
 12. The shelving system of claim 10 further including a third and fourth shelf cleat, wherein the third shelf cleat includes a third groove and the second shelf cleat includes a fourth groove, the third and fourth grooves aligned along a common axis and configured to support a second bar defining a second depression configured to receive an elongated object therein, wherein the third and fourth shelf cleats are positioned at different heights with respect to the supports such that when the elongated object is placed upon the first and second depressions, the elongated object is tilted. 